Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Sixstring on 29 July 2010, 11:26:45

Title: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Sixstring on 29 July 2010, 11:26:45
Just changed ALL the brake pads on my 99 3.0 estate. Now, when I brake hard, the front "wanders" in direction, and the rears don't seem to do much.....
Must add, have done enough miles to wear them in a fair bit, and cleaned up the discs well with brake cleaner before fitting pads. No leaks or contamination, and discs within wear tolerances cos checked with micrometer first, or would have replaced discs too.

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: mantahatch on 29 July 2010, 12:03:34
By wandering, does it go left then right or vice versa or does it only pull left, or right.
Hope that makes sense.

If only pulling to one side, I am thinking of a stuck caliper, it can happen when you push the piston back in when fitting pads. Or the slider bit sticking, did you use a bit of anti seize compund on them ?

HTH in some small way  :)
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: tunnie on 29 July 2010, 12:12:28
sounds like nackered front wishbone bushes
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Sixstring on 29 July 2010, 12:28:45
would tend to agree with you Tunnie, but have just changed wishbones,drop arms, and all ball joints!

Front brakes good, but back ones inneffective.

Still stops well..........
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: tunnie on 29 July 2010, 12:32:03
might be worth checking for play in the steering idler arm?
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Sixstring on 29 July 2010, 12:51:57
Thought that myself before posting this, AND CHANGED THAT TOO..........
Thanks anyway Tunnie, am getting a bit despondant now, can't be much more to change......
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Kevin Wood on 29 July 2010, 13:24:14
How do you know the back brakes are to blame?

I would say take the car out on a quiet road, do a couple of stops from 50-60 MPH and then see how the temperatures of the disks compare (an infra red heat gun is handy for this if you have one available).

If there's a disk that's clearly cooler or cold, there's your problem. If not, look further afield.

If the disks are worn it might take a while for the pads to bed in to the contours left by the previous set. Until then you have a reduced contact area -> less braking.

Kevin
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: mantahatch on 29 July 2010, 13:50:44
Just another quick thought, does the estate have a load proportioning valve ? could it be faulty, or disconnected after jacking the car up ?
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: MickAP on 29 July 2010, 14:12:41
Did you check inside surface of the front discs before fitting the new pads?

Mine looked ok from the outer surface, so just had new pads fitted, as recommended by the Vx garage.
After a few months I experienced brake judder when braking from speeds above 50mph. Had the front brakes checked again and the inner surface on the front discs were found to be completely corroded, outer looked ok.
So wasted a new set of pads, after having to replace the discs then the pads again. Never took my car back there again.

Mick
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Sixstring on 29 July 2010, 14:15:36
Bloody good point!!

Didn't give them a good shufty, although I did mic them up for wear.........

got this weekend off, better jack it up and check again!

have'nt given any thought to a load proportioning valve....have I got one??

Many thanks for your opinions, fellers.
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Jimbob on 29 July 2010, 14:16:20
Know an MOT tester who would do a brake balance check for you?
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: Sixstring on 29 July 2010, 14:22:58
Actually......YES!

I'm sure if I slip him a few Stella cans..........
Do you know anything about a L.P.V. Jimbob??
Does my 99 elite estate 3.0 have one??
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: harpersimon on 29 July 2010, 21:01:59
I assume you haven't hard faced the pads by going out on new pads and braking 'hard' alot? gently gently spanky monkey on new pads for a few miles..
Title: Re: WEEDY BACK BRAKES
Post by: hotrod222278 on 30 July 2010, 21:13:22
Quote
Actually......YES!

I'm sure if I slip him a few Stella cans..........
Do you know anything about a L.P.V. Jimbob??
Does my 99 elite estate 3.0 have one??
Have you thought about doing a brake fluid change?
It defo will help matters, and change the hoses for some braided ones, massivie improvement!!!